Flow of workers within Asean: MTUC wants matter to be handled at
govt level

The Straits Times, 28 December 2000

KUALA LUMPUR - The migration of workers within the Asean countries
should be carried out on a government-to-government basis and not
through employment agencies to avoid exploitation, the Malaysian
Trades Union Congress (MTUC) has said.

MTUC president, Senator Zainal Rampak, said a joint declaration on the
matter was made by Asean Trade Union Council leaders at a conference
held recently.

He said employment agencies had been reaping profits and imposing high
charges on the workers, but left them unemployed.

I am confident that should the procedure on the migration of
workers be conducted on a government-to-government basis, illegal
migration can be curtailed, he added.

He also lauded the Immigration Department's move to deport 100,000
illegal immigrants at a cost of RM6 million (S$2.6 million). However,
he said that instead of using taxpayers' funds, it would be better for
such money to be used to benefit the people in terms of health and
welfare assistance.

Mr Zainal said the move would not restrict the inflow of illegal
immigrants if there was no co-operation from all government
departments involved in checking their entry.

MTUC estimates that there are about two million illegal immigrants in
the country at the present moment.

Meanwhile, Mr Zainal also reminded employers not to repeat what had
happened during the economic downturn two years ago. At that time,
many companies had closed down during the festive holidays.

The excuse given by employers was that business had suffered, there
was no demand, so that the old workers could be dismissed and new ones
employed on lower salaries, he said.

He added that it was important for harmonious industrial relations to
be maintained.